Ben Affleck Says California Took the Film Industry "For Granted"

Over the last few months, I've really been trying to highlight the need for film and TV tax incentives in California, and really anywhere production is going to take place. Not only do these bring jobs to an area, but in CA, they've sustained careers and family businesses for generations. Their disappearance has been a blight on our economy, and we need leaders to step up and bring them back, or we'll risk losing them forever. But I am not tall or hot, so if you don't want to hear my arguments, just listen to Ben Affleck sum it all up to AP news. Ben Affleck on why California Needs Hollywood Speaking while promoting his latest film, The Accountant 2, which looks rad, Affleck expressed concern that California has historically taken its status as the heart of the film industry for granted.And he might be right. Affleck observed that the landscape is changing in California, and we can't just assume this state, and especially Los Angeles, will be a major hub moving forward. He pointed out that numerous productions are moving elsewhere, citing places like Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and even the United Kingdom as increasingly popular filming locations. Affleck also pointed out that we need incentives, like those places have, to keep people here. And these places recognize the significant economic boost the film industry provides.California needs to respond quickly. And while Newsom has doubled the available tax rebate amounts, there's a lot more to be done to keep up with other places and to get back a lot of the jobs that have left. And as Affleck pointed out, right now, the percentage offered back on a film's budget still sometimes falls short compared to incentives available in locations like the U.K..It's wild how deep and how resonant Affleck was in just a minute of time. We need way more actors speaking out about this and demanding progress, or Hollywood as we know it is going to slowly or rapidly disappear. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Apr 17, 2025 - 22:05

Ben Affleck Says California Took the Film Industry "For Granted"

Over the last few months, I've really been trying to highlight the need for film and TV tax incentives in California, and really anywhere production is going to take place.

Not only do these bring jobs to an area, but in CA, they've sustained careers and family businesses for generations.

Their disappearance has been a blight on our economy, and we need leaders to step up and bring them back, or we'll risk losing them forever.

But I am not tall or hot, so if you don't want to hear my arguments, just listen to Ben Affleck sum it all up to AP news.

Ben Affleck on why California Needs Hollywood

Speaking while promoting his latest film, The Accountant 2, which looks rad, Affleck expressed concern that California has historically taken its status as the heart of the film industry for granted.

And he might be right.

Affleck observed that the landscape is changing in California, and we can't just assume this state, and especially Los Angeles, will be a major hub moving forward.

He pointed out that numerous productions are moving elsewhere, citing places like Georgia, Texas, Nevada, and even the United Kingdom as increasingly popular filming locations.

Affleck also pointed out that we need incentives, like those places have, to keep people here. And these places recognize the significant economic boost the film industry provides.

California needs to respond quickly.

And while Newsom has doubled the available tax rebate amounts, there's a lot more to be done to keep up with other places and to get back a lot of the jobs that have left.

And as Affleck pointed out, right now, the percentage offered back on a film's budget still sometimes falls short compared to incentives available in locations like the U.K..

It's wild how deep and how resonant Affleck was in just a minute of time. We need way more actors speaking out about this and demanding progress, or Hollywood as we know it is going to slowly or rapidly disappear.

Let me know what you think in the comments.